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The heat of competition

Kevin Maggs and Louis Deacon have worked wonders building their new squad, and in particular they have recruited players who fit seamlessly into the club’s culture.

There are examples of this right through the team, but the back row situation perhaps highlights it best.

The retention of Chris Brightwell and Harry Hone was clearly very important, but it is newcomer Jack Preece who has really set onfield standards for the rest to follow.

The former Rotherham flanker’s workrate is astonishing, and unlike many No.7’s he is equally adept with ball in hand or in defence.

Throw in Jacques le Roux, and it is apparent why another former Coventry star, Sam Pailor, has been unable to force his way into the No.6 shirt, and as a consequence gone on loan to Ealing seeking game time.

Growing your own

In addition to bringing proven players such as Preece and George Oram from the Championship, not to mention Alex Grove from Worcester, Maggs and Deacon have managed to introduce some local talent into their squad to good effect.

Second row Aaron Crofts looks born to play at National League level, despite having spent most of his career in Warwickshire junior rugby, while the last fortnight has seen Moseley Oak fly half James Williams step up three league levels to deliver a pair of accomplished displays.

With former red-and-black heroes Ollie Thomas and Neil Mason at the Oak helm, it is far from fanciful to suggest that Moseley’s senior side will see ongoing benefits from the time and money put into plugging the gap between their always-productive mini and junior section and the first team.

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At the centre of things

As in the back row, Moseley are blessed with more quality midfield operators than available shirts.

The presence of Greg King, Grove and Tim Molenaar offers Maggs the combination of pace, power, creativity and tactical nous, and prior to Molenaar’s recent injury, competition between the three of them was driving performance.

In truth, Grove should be a superstar at National One level, given that he remained a more-than-adequate Premiership operator last season. But to be seen to best effect, he also needs to be unencumbered by the pressure to be the stand-out performer each time he plays, and the efforts of King and Molenaar inside him play a key role in ensuring this is the case.

Moseley skipper Greg King led from the front against Cambridge. (Image: Dan Bellenger)

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But...

Kevin Maggs is the first to remind anyone who will listen not to get carried away by Moseley’s lofty status, as 23 league games remain in the toughest English league season.

It is also worth noting that Maggs’ team have to date faced only Ampthill of the top seven clubs, and some tough fixture sequences lie ahead during the next two months, including their visit to league leaders Hartpury in early December.